Yesterday morning Lindsey, Avery, and I (the patient) headed over to the outpatient surgery clinic in Covington to get my tonsils taken out. I’ve never had surgery before, so heading into this I was a little bit nervous. As it turned out I had nothing to worry about. The staff were all very friendly, and they took great care of me.
When I first arrived they took me + my entourage back into the pre-op area. I got a comfy chair to sit in, a gown that connected up to a hair-dryer-like apparatus (to keep me warm), some fancy leggings (to prevent clots), and some warm socks. After a battery of health history questions another nurse came along to give me an IV. I don’t think I’ve ever had an IV before, but it went fine.
Next I got to relax for a while, as the surgeon was slightly behind schedule. Lindsey and I talked a bit, she fed Avery once or twice, and we looked at a magazine. Eventually the anesthesiologist came along to chat. She explained how the general anesthesia worked — something in my IV to drift me off to sleep, then something to breath during surgery. The breathing tube would go in after I was asleep, and 99% of the time they have the tube out before the patient wakes up. Sounded good to me.
Finally it was time to give Lindsey a kiss and an ‘I love you’, before walking to the operating room with the nurse. The O.R. had all sorts of equipment in it, and lots of people in blue outfits. Once I got settled on the table the anesthesiologist said she’d “drift me off to sleep.” My vision went blurry, and that was the last I remember.
45 minutes later.
I heard a nurses voice, but I don’t remember what she was saying. Then a few moments later I could see her, and she was asking how my pain was. Weird, I don’t remember anything. One moment I was falling asleep, the next my throat hurts like hell. I told her it’s a 5 on a scale of 1 – 10. Then Lindsey arrived. I told the nurse and Lindsey I felt “fabulous,” and I enjoyed the power-nap. They giggled at me. About 45 minutes in recovery and they sent me home.
The first night at home went pretty well. I didn’t get sick, though between the anesthesia and pain meds I felt really woozy. I ate some sorbet, clam chowder, cream-of-wheat, and ice cream. I felt bad for Lindsey, between Avery and I her hands were full.
This morning I feel a lot better. My throat still hurts, but the dizziness is gone. I’ve decided to take regular Tylenol instead of the narcotic pain meds they gave me. The Tylenol works fine and has less side effects.